Reinhardt Gud, Gruppenführer SS
Ravensbergweg 8, 14478 Potsdam
3 January 1939
Reinhardt,
I’ve recently become acquainted with Allina Gottlieb, a young lady under your protection at Hochland Home. I write to ask you to relinquish her to my care.
Your duties in Berlin are significant, and your devotion to Frau Gud after her illness is as admirable as it is necessary. I, on the other hand, live just outside Munich, and as a young, unmarried man, have adequate time to attend to all her needs.
If you have concerns about my request, I suggest we broach the issue with the Reichsführer.
You should receive this letter by special courier. I ask that you extend me the same courtesy to ensure prompt reply.
Yours in service to our Führer,
Karl von Strassberg
Karl von Strassberg, Gruppenführer SS
Sonnenbichlweg 4, 82319 Starnberg
5 January 1939
Karl,
As always, you make your case like a politician.
I see no need to bring the matter to the Reichsführer’s attention. No doubt Heinrich would side with your logic. You’re Klemperer’s Golden Boy, as I’m well aware.
I wish you all the satisfaction you deserve and look forward to repayment of this considerable favor at some future date.
Please give Allina my best.
R.G.
Allina couldn’t stop her hands from shaking. She shoved the letters back into von Strassberg’s hands. “How should I interpret these?” she asked.
It was barely above freezing, but the temperature had little to do with her shivering.
Allina had revealed too much in the courtyard last week, speaking aloud for the first time about all she’d lost in Badensburg. She’d been reckless. A victim of her own shock and grief, she’d misinterpreted his honesty for decency.
Then nothing. No contact for seven days. The Gruppenführer hadn’t reported her yet, that much Allina was sure of. If he’d done so, the head nurse’s punishment would have been swift and catastrophic.
Now she knew why he’d kept her secret. He expected payment. Of course.
Ten minutes ago, he’d bounded into the dining room, interrupting her meal to drag her outside. Read these, he’d said, before placing the letters into her hands. He’d grinned, triumphant.
Now the man was frowning, straight brows furrowed. “I thought—I hoped you’d be happier. Unless you’d rather remain under Gud’s cloud?”
“I’d be happier if I knew what you expected in exchange for your protection,” Allina said. She covered her mouth as the words sank in and tried to breathe through a growing panic. He was too large, too calm, too close, and the space between them hummed with energy.
Von Strassberg’s face went still before he spoke. “You can’t believe—” He let out an ugly curse that made Allina wince, and leaned back, enunciating his next words carefully. “I’m trying to protect you. What do you take me for?”
She shook her head and slid away, to the bench’s edge.
“You don’t trust me,” he muttered in a voice that betrayed resentment. “Of course not. Why should you?” His broad shoulders slumped. “I could swear to ask for only what you’d willingly give.” His gaze captured hers again, but the indigo eyes were flat now. Ancient. “Never mind. Actions are more important than words.” Von Strassberg hauled himself off the bench, brushing his collar as he turned away. “Time will tell, Allina. Time always proves the truth. In the interim,” he added, patting his pocket, “I’ll share these with Schwester Ziegler so she knows the situation.”
“Very well,” Allina whispered. She didn’t want to believe him. She hated the niggling sense of unease between her shoulder blades that felt more like doubt than anger or fear. Damn the man for expecting her trust.
“I’ll leave you in peace.” He bowed and turned to go, hesitating at the last minute. “Actually, there is one thing you can do for me. Have tea with me tomorrow.” His lips curved in a tentative smile before they gave up, settling into flat regret. “Just tea.”